The flax and hemp industries at the heart of emerging bio-sourced materials

Rapporteur(s) :

Climate issues, and environmental issues in general, combined with the finite nature of both mineral and oil resources, are leading us to explore the opportunities presented by new plant-based materials, and those incorporating flax and hemp fibres in particular. Current development of such materials is affecting the design and leisure spheres just as it is affecting the transport and construction sectors.

The term 'biomaterial', which was once used, is not the most appropriate term for referring to such materials, its accepted definition in scientific fields relating specifically to its biocompatibility in the medical sphere. Products produced from biomass instead tend to be classed as agro-sourced or bio-sourced. In order to prevent any confusion, the expression 'bio-sourced materials' will be used instead.